Garden

Lettuce is generally considered a cool weather plant, grown in early spring or fall, although it can be grown in the warm season in most of the SF Bay Area by choosing varieties adapted to warmer weather. Check seed catalogs for summer lettuces.

Here's a listing of all our tomato tips. For more information about caring for tomatoes and the most common problems, refer to the UC Pest Site page on tomatoes.

Transplant or direct seed: May–July, possibly April for transplanting. For best results, wait until daytime temperatures are regularly over 70°F and soil temperature is over 65°F. Start in pots for transplants: March–June; ready to transplant in 4 weeks.

German chamomile, Matricaria chamomilla, is the most commonly grown variety for chamomile blossoms. The plant produces fragrant flowers all summer long. The small, white daisy-like flowers have a pleasant pineapple flavor. They also attract beneficial insects and are self-seeding. The dried flowers are…

Tarragon is one of the classic fines herbes used in French cooking (parsley, chives, and chervil are the others). When purchasing a plant, it is important to be sure it is “French tarragon” and not “Russian tarragon”, which does not have the characteristic anise-like flavor. French tarragon rarely flowers or…

One of the risks of living in WUI areas is the increased likelihood of wildfire. Photo: Snappygoat.com Defensible space are areas intentionally planned and maintained to reduce fire danger and to allow firefighters ample room to address embers and spot fires before they grow.

L Stiles Succulents are about the easiest plants you can grow and require little care. In addition to providing plenty of light and well-draining soil, water them sparingly, divide when they get crowded, and protect from exposure to temperature extremes. When in doubt, DONT.

The tree you plant today may be here for your children and grandchildren and beyond. Photo: Candid Shots, Pixabay Use our PLANT LIST: > TREES FOR BACKYARDS AND PATIOS These trees thrive in Marin and are well-suited to the typical backyard setting.

Monitor the garden for pests and diseases as you maintain it. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Once the fruit trees, berries, herbs and vegetables are planted, the magic begins. Even seasoned gardeners marvel at how the seed becomes the plant that produces a vegetable that appears on a plate.

Photo: Lukas, Pexals Soil is a naturally occurring mixture of inorganic and organic ingredients with a definite form, structure, and composition, that varies from one location to another.